AMSA concerned at high prevalence of sexual harassment and assault at Australian universities
The Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) is concerned by the results of the Respect. Now. Always National university student survey that has revealed a high prevalence of sexual harassment and assault at Australian universities.
AMSA is the peak representative body for Australia’s 17,000 medical students and strongly advocates for strategies to combat the incidence of sexual harassment, improve reporting mechanisms, and facilitate appropriate victim support.
AMSA President, Rob Thomas, said “We are both greatly saddened and concerned by the results of the Respect. Now. Always survey that showed as many as one in five students are victims of sexual harassment or assault at university. There is only one acceptable figure for episodes of sexual harassment or assault, and that is zero.”
An alarming finding outlined in the report is that incidences of sexual harassment or assault often go unreported due to uncertain pathways or reporting mechanisms available to students. The report found that 94 per cent of students who were sexually harassed and 87 per cent of students who were sexually assaulted did not make a formal report or complaint to their university.
Read about the Respect. Now. Always. National university student survey
